Crape-myrtle named Summer Dream

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, named `Summer Dream`, which is characterized by its strong purplish pink blooms having white marginal variegation and its dwarf habit. The new variety is hearty, well-branched and produces a heavy quantity of blooms.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, the variety being primarily characterized by strong purplish pink blooms having white marginal variegation.

The variety is further characterized by:

Flat-spreading performance having a (hill spread)/(height) ratio of about 2.0, disc-shaped form, dwarf habit (about 30 cm height), heavy branching habit and an extremely numerous amount of blooms.

The new crape-myrtle variety originated in 1985 as a seedling resulting from my crossing of a pair of crape-myrtle plants. The seed parent was `Summer And Summer`, Lagerstroemia indica L., which was bred at a research farm in Uchino-cho, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan, and the pollen parent was `Issai-Sarusuberi`, Lagerstroemia indica L. This crossing was done at the same research farm as described above in 1984 with the object of producing plants having flowers of different colors from the seed parent, `Summer And Summer.` The seed parent, `Summer And Summer` has been registered under No. 1733 on Aug. 18, 1988, under the Japanese Seed and Seedlings Law. The pollen parent, `Issai-Sarusuberi` is a well-known and popular crape-myrtle plant and is under no protection, such as a patent or plant variety protection certificate. In 1986, the asexual reproduction of this selected seedling was done by me and under my direction at the same research farm by green shoot cutting. Then, observations were made for 2-4 years of grown plants during 1987-1989. The continuous asexual propagation has demonstrated that the novel characteristics would hold true from generation to generation, appear to be firmly fixed, and are transmitted without change through succeeding propagations.

The new crape-myrtle variety differs from its seed parent and pollen parent in the following ways.

    ______________________________________                                                   New Variety                                                                             Seed Parent                                                                               Pollen Parent                                              Summer   Summer And Issai-                                                     Dream    Summer     Sarusuberi                                       ______________________________________                                         Tree-Performance                                                                           flat-spreading                                                                            flat-spreading                                                                            upright                                      (hill spread)/(tree                                                                         2.0        3.0        0.43                                        height) ratio                                                                  Tree form   disc       disc       obovoid                                      Tree height (cm)                                                                           dwarf (31.6)                                                                              dwarf (20.0)                                                                              shrub (130.0)                                Branching Habit                                                                            heavy      medium     sparse                                       (number of branches                                                                         9.8        5.8        4.4                                         on a main trunk)                                                               Number of inflores-                                                                        numerous   medium     little                                       cences per one                                                                              9.0        5.0        3.5                                         cluster                                                                        Number of flowers                                                                          numerous   medium     little                                       per one     39.4       32.0       26.0                                         inflorescence                                                                  Petal color strong     strong     vivid red                                                purplish pink                                                                             purplish pink                                                                             purple JHS                                               (JHS       JHS Color  Color Chart                                              Color Chart                                                                               Chart 9205 or                                                                             9507 or RHS                                              9505) with RHS Colour Colour Chart                                             white      Chart 68A, 71B                                                      marginal   68B, 73A   71B                                                      variegation                                                                    or RHS                                                                         Colour Chart                                                                   61D, 66C                                                           ______________________________________                                    

The new crape-myrtle variety may be reproduced with ease by stem cuttings. Just after root taking, young shoots come out and spread as growth proceeds. The variety becomes to show full flat-spreading in tree performance and disc shape in tree form, before appearance of flower buds. The tree height of an adult tree is about 30 cm and the hill spread is about 2.0 times the tree height.

The variety shows heavy branching habit and bears numerous flowers and buds. The blooming period of the variety is long, from July to October in Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan and in similar climate elsewhere. The variety also shows a good cold hardiness and can overwinter well without being supported with a pole even in a snowy area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show typical specimens of the new variety in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character. In each instance, the photographs were taken at the same research farm noted previously in Aug., 1989.

FIG. 1 is a complete view of the new variety together with a scale wherein the dwarf habit of the new variety is apparent.

FIG. 2 is a close view of a blooming peduncle showing the characteristics of the flower and bud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the characteristics of the new variety as observed at the same research farm described above. Color designations are made by reference to JHS Color Chart (Japan Horticultural Scale), or R.H.S. Colour Chart (Royal Horticultural Society) except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Plant:

Tree performance.--Flat-spreading with a (hill spread)/(tree height) ratio of about 2.0.

Tree form.--Disc type.

Tree height.--Dwarf, about 30 to 35 cm in adult trees.

Stem:

Type of trunk.--Bush.

Trunk color.--Purplish brown.

Young bud.--Brown in color.

Branches.--Color: Reddish brown. Thickness: 4.1 mm (ave. of 50 shoots). Appearance of branch edge: Obvious. Branching habit: Heavy, about 8.9 branches in average on a main trunk. Internode Length: Short, about 1 to 2 cm.

Foliage:

Average leaf length.--About 7.0 cm.

Average leaf width.--About 3.5 cm.

Leaflets (lamina).--Broad lanceolate-shaped.

Top of leaflets.--Acute-shaped (94.5°).

Base of leaflets.--Acute-shaped.

Margin.--Entire.

Wave of leaflets.--None.

Thickness of leaflets.--0.4 mm (ave. of 50 leaflets)

Color of immature leaflets.--Vivid yellow green (JHS Color Chart 3506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 144B).

Color of mature leaflets.--Upper side is dark green (JHS Color Chart 3716) or R.H.S. Colour Chart 137A, 137B, 147A, under side is dull yellow green (JHS Color Chart 3514) or R.H.S. Colour Chart 146B, 147B, 148B.

Mottling.--None.

Color change.--Red.

Luster.--Weakly-glossy finish.

Hair.--None on both the upper surface and the under surface.

Petiole.--Pale green in color. Petiole length: 1.1 to 1.2 mm.

Flower:

Pedicel.--4.5 to 5.5 mm.

Appearance of calyz tube edge.--Developed.

Bud.--Trapezoidal.

Cluster.--Conic-shaped, upward, broad and long.

Inflorescence.--Numerous, 9.0 on average per one cluster.

Semiinflorescence.--3 to 7 per the lowest inflorescence.

Number of flowers.--39.4 on average per one inflorescence.

Shape or form.--Single, six petals.

Fragrance.--Present, slight.

Petals:

Color.--Strong purplish pink (JHS Color Chart 9505) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 61D, 66C) with white marginal variegation and slight fading in tone.

Shape.--Orbiculate with strong wave.

Petal base.--Strong purplish pink (JHS Color Chart 9505) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 61D, 66C) and the length of the claw is 8 to 9 mm.

Reproductive organs:

Style.--Pale red.

Pistil.--One.

Filaments.--Pale pink.

Anthers.--Yellow.

Stamens.--30 to 35 arranged around the pistil.

Fruit:

Shape.--Ellipsoid, 10 mm. in length (ave. of 50 fruits) and 8.3 mm in width, being rotundate on the base and top.

Color.--Green in immaturity, and changes to Dark purple in maturity.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf, 30 to 35 cm height.

First foliage appears.--April.

Blooming term.--July to October.

Days for bearing flowers.--About 100.

Defoliation.--November.

Cold hardiness.--High.

Heat tolerance.--High.

Disease resistance.--High.

Pest resistance.--High.

Species designation: `Summer Dream` is designated as Lagerstroemia indicia L. hybrid.

The present new variety can survive at a temperature as low as -15° C. and is resistant to Cercospora lythracearum Heald et Wolf, generally known as leaf blight.

The following additional descriptive botanical information is also provided:

Bloom diameter: 4.5 to 5.3 cm.

Petal size (width): 1.5 to 1.8 cm.

Persistance of individual blooms: One day from blooming. On the second day after blooming, the flower color begins to face gradually.

Fertile seeds: Are observed.

i) Seed color.--Dark-grayish brown (JHS Color Chart 1619) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 200C)

ii) Samara.--Seed winged at the top.

iii) Seed size.--Length: 6.4 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds). Width: 2.9 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds).

iv) Number of seeds per fruit.--24 (avg. of 50 fruits).

Tree width: 63.2 cm. (avg. value of 50 plants).

As will be apparent to those skilled in horticultural science, the new variety as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown and the stage of growth. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle plant, substantially as herein described and illustrated. 